After 15 years, the nets finally came down again for the Oxford Wildcats girls basketball program with a 41-22 win over league rival Lake Orion on Feb. 26
“It has been a long time coming for Oxford winning a league championship. This not only means a lot to our current players but to the program overall,” said Head Coach Steve Emert. “This team demonstrates what hard work and determination can do.”
The Wildcats completed their perfect 10-0 OAA White league season and finished 16-4 overall, while finishing the regular season on an 11-game winning streak.
Against Lake Orion, the Wildcats were led by star senior forward Jessica Murphy with 25 points and 7 rebounds. Star guard Cherilyn Banas contributed 7 assists. In the loss, the Dragons were led by Evelyn Wischmeyer with 12 points.
The Wildcats earned this victory like so many others with the defense holding their opponent to single digit scoring in all four quarters.
With the regular season over, the team now looks to make an extended run in the post season. The Wildcats will face Stoney Creek in district play on Wednesday, March 4 at Lake Orion High School. The game will begin at 5:30 p.m.
The Wildcats split with Stoney Creek in the pre-season, so they are certainly capable of advancing to the district finals. On the other side of the bracket are two tough OAA Red opponents, Clarkston and Rochester Adams. Oxford played both in the pre- season, with each game ending in defeat by the narrowest of margins.
Earlier in the week, the Lady Cats defeated West Bloomfield 36-16.
The Wildcats had an off-night shooting, scoring only 36 points for the contest and shooting just 22 percent from the floor and 47 percent from the line. However, it was their defense that once again ensured their victory by holding West Bloomfield to just 5 total points in the middle two quarters.
The Wildcats were led by Jessica Murphy with 13 points and Skye Donaldson chipped in an additional 12.
“Both wins were critical fur our girls to secure one of their goals of going undefeated in the league,” Emert added. “We are looking towards the state tournament, it is another exciting adventure ahead.”